TypeScript vs Flow

Differences Between TypeScript vs Flow

JavaScript still remains the most widely used language for scripting even today. JavaScript has been such a great fit for all browsers and web pages that it is the first choice of any developer as far as choosing a front-end language is considered. Javascript comes with a rich set of libraries and frameworks which are increasing every day and making life better for everyone. Frameworks such as Angular.js, Ember.js have given an entirely new dimension to how web development was handled. In this post TypeScript vs flow, we are going to read about the two very popular tools for javascript whose primary aim is to focus on the lack of static types for Javascript. They both TypeScript vs flow are well advanced and created by keeping in mind the facility for you to write the right piece of code and also helps you with static type capabilities. The syntax for declaration files and type annotations is quite very similar. Let’s now understand TypeScript vs flow in detail and later on talk about their differences.

Typescript is an open source programming language developed by Microsoft in continuation with the Javascript as an extension, better known as the language for angularJS 2. It integrates many modern programming paradigms and features to make use of javascript much simpler and efficient. These include class, module, and interface into the language. All this in their entirety is used to make large-scale development easier.

Flow, on the other hand, is not a programming language but Javascript’s static type checker i.e. it is a productivity tool which can be downloaded and installed locally to run on your code, analyze it to generate some meaningful insights out from it. It has a unique ability to catch Type Errors.

Typescript supports the optional static typing feature which offers many advantages such as it provides the compiler a better code readability and understanding and the ones like better error detentions. All of this improves the documentation process using typescript significantly and gives a clear and a concise view.

Flow, on the other hand, aims to deduce those segments or pieces of code which can behave erratically and in an unexpected manner. It also advises the programmer as to how a problem should be dealt with. Flow provides the backbone needed for many IDE features such as error Autocomplete, highlighting and automated refactoring. You can also configure regular text editors such as visual studio code and atom which support Javascript.

Flow is known to be a simpler language than TypeScript due to it’s out of the box utility. A developer would have to learn TypeScript syntax e.g. Type Annotation and how to modify the code. They have to be very much sure about the type they are specifying and using. Flow, on the other hand, possesses the capability of auto-assignment of type information from existing code pieces by using “flow analysis” technique which picks up type errors on its own.

Head to Head Comparison Between TypeScript vs flow

Below is the top 8 comparison Between TypeScript vs flow

Key Differences Between TypeScript vs flow

Both TypeScript vs flow are popular choices in the market; let us discuss some of the major Differences Between TypeScript vs flow:

Typescript has better compatibility with many frameworks, libraries, and compilers as compared with Flow in many cases such as those like angularJs whereas if you are working on react.js, using flow should be the obvious choice. It is not that typescript is not supported by reacting, it’s just that due to the native unavailability, some additional tweaks and adjustment to your code are needed such as Typecasting.

Flow is any day a better choice to go when you have to work with type checking static kind functionalities without even writing the non-standard Javascript code i.e. the code which asks for compilation back into Javascript. To use this feature, you can write type annotations in comments rather than using them in the executable code itself.

Typescript provides to you some additional language services such as code completion features, navigation and refactoring features whereas flow aims to build a deeper level of understanding of your code and is responsible for doing an interprocedural analysis.

TypeScript vs flow Comparison Table

Below are the lists of points, describe the comparisons Between TypeScript vs flow

The basis of comparison Between Typescript vs Flow

TypeScript

Flow

Inception

Open Source and Free programming language developed at Microsoft

Not a programming language but is a flow-based typing tool

Relation with Javascript

Typescript is Javascript’s strict syntactical superset

It is a Javascript’s static type checker

Which is to be used when

If you are working on Angular 2+ this becomes a better choice as it is the prevalent language in the angular community

If you are working on React, Flow becomes a better choice as it easily seems to integrate with babel and the already present infrastructure

Services

Along with the provision of static typing, it provides you with great language services and appropriate tooling which includes those like code refactoring, navigation, and auto-completion.

Along with the provision of static typing, flow provides to you a wide range of interprocedural analysis and develops an in-depth understanding of your code

Features

Compile-time type checking

Type annotations

Type erasure

Type inference

Enumerated type

Interfaces

Namespaces

Generic

Awaits

Tuples

Precision

Reliability

Speed

High throughput

Path sensitivity

Low latency

Type inference

Real-time feedback

Easy to integrate

Easily understandable Javascript patterns

Getting started

Initialize the project

Add typescript as a dependency

Configure typescript using flow# npx tsc –init

A tsconfig.json file should be created

Start typescript

Update typescript config

Write a typescript file

Checking the code

Compile your code

Install a compiler such as a babel

Initialize the project, add Babel dependencies

Add flow preset

Configure Babel and add a script in package.json

Install and configure Flow

flow config should be created

Start flow

Write a flow file

Checking the code

Compiling the code

Advantages

Compatibility with Javascript

Type annotations

Declaration files

Classes

Modules and namespaces

Generics

Type annotations

Typecasting

Duck typing

Reduced verbosity

Terser code

Easy readability

Easier modification

Type

You have to be sure about the type that you specify

Your major focus lies on what to do rather than worrying about types

Conclusion – TypeScript vs flow

Both Typescript vs Flow are amazing products in their own domain. Both Typescript vs Flow is helpful in making you write the correct code. There is no right and wrong in choosing the tool, so choose what your business demands and your project needs. I hope you must have liked TypeScript vs flow this post. Stay tuned to our blog for more posts like these.

Recommended Article

This has a been a guide to the top differences between Typescript vs Flow. Here we also discuss the Typescript vs Flow key differences with infographics, and comparison table. You may also have a look at the following articles –